Homespun company thrives

By SUSAN LYNN
Register Editor

Rebecca Gunlock repares a garment to be “blinged” at Gunlock & Gleue Designs, one of five businesses in Le Roy that will celebrate a Christmas open house event Saturday.

Sandra Gunlock began her second career in retail as a hobby.
As a home economics teacher, her love of sewing came naturally. Couple that skill with a class teaching entrepreneurship, and Gunlock had the talent to turn her back porch sewing time into a full-fledged business.
Gunlock and her mother, Illa Gleue are partners in Gunlock & Gleue Designs, a business that specializes in embroidered apparel and linens, gifts and mementos and the new art of making “bling” rhinestone decorations on shirts.
With them is Sandra’s daughter-in-law, Rebecca Gunlock, who has a good eye at design.
Since the days of Sandra doing her own embroidery with one machine, the business has expanded to having five machines capable of doing intricate designs and monograms on anything from caps to blankets to shirtfronts or backs. The Le Roy business, now in its 12th year, serves many local businesses and industries. It also has clients on a national and international scale.
In its spacious store at 609 Main St., Gunlock & Gleue has racks and rows of jackets, shirts, baby apparel, towels, blankets and hats for sale as is, or to have embroidered. Gunlock also carries Willow Tree collectibles, Express Yourself picture frames and blankets and many holiday decorations.
Embroidering a blanket with the news of a baby’s birth or of a couple’s wedding anniversary is a gift “that keeps on giving,” Gunlock said.
Gunlock & Gleue also makes many items for local school districts embroidering their mascots on apparel. It also has the licenses for Kansas State University and the University of Kansas to use their logos on items.
For Saturday’s open house, the store will have a “bling” party where customers can select from many rhinestone designs to be pressed onto shirts while they enjoy refreshments. The shirts are available from size 3 months on up to adult.
Gunlock & Gleue has built a successful business because of its customer service and its attention to detail.
“Styles constantly change,” Gunlock said. Going to merchandise markets throughout the year helps keep her abreast of changing tastes and trends. The “bling” on T-shirts, for example, are a fun way for women to dress up casual wear.
Gunlock credits her family and friends for her success, especially at busy times of the year like this. She also says the townsfolk of Le Roy are “blessed” to have its healthy business district, good school and library.
“It’s a great little town. You can easily come to Le Roy and spend a day. There’s lots to do here,” Gunlock said.